Dr. Freda Shipman

Dr. Freda Shipman is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 25 years of experience. She focuses on helping people manage anger, stress, anxiety, grief, and life transitions. Her style is calm and practical, and she aims to help clients find clearer ways to cope and move forward.

She uses straightforward methods to address problems people bring to therapy. That includes working on self-esteem, career concerns, relationship strain, and parenting questions. She also supports people facing aging and geriatric issues, caregiver stress, cancer and hospice matters, and financial or life-purpose worries.

Her approach blends Client-Centered Therapy with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Solution-Focused work. Sessions often focus on what is happening now, practical steps clients can try, and identifying thoughts or patterns that get in the way. She also draws on Motivational Interviewing and Internal Family Systems when helpful to explore internal conflicts and motivation for change.

Dr. Shipman meets people with respect and a nonjudgmental attitude. She aims to tailor sessions to each person’s needs and pace. The work can include short-term problem solving or longer-term exploration, depending on what the client wants.

She practices in Virginia and holds LCSW credentials. Starting therapy usually begins with a brief matching questionnaire and scheduling a first appointment. The focus is on small, practical steps that build toward better coping and clearer choices.

How her approaches translate to online care

Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and responding to what the person needs. The therapist follows the client's lead, offers empathy, and helps people clarify their goals. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at unhelpful thoughts and behaviors and uses simple exercises to test new ways of thinking and acting. CBT is useful for anxiety, anger, stress, and coping with life changes. Motivational Interviewing helps people find their own reasons to change and supports small, achievable steps toward goals.

Finding the right approach is part of the work together. The therapist will talk with each person about their goals, preferences, and what feels most useful. That conversation guides whether sessions emphasize CBT exercises, client-centered listening, motivational strategies, or a combination of methods.

Session formats are not specified in this biography, so please confirm current online options before booking. Many people find online therapy helps fit sessions into busy lives by reducing travel, allowing shorter check-ins, and making it easier to schedule around work or caregiving. Online sessions can support practical skill practice, homework between meetings, and ongoing goal tracking while the therapist and client decide the best therapeutic pathway.